X-ray apparatus



S. TOUSEY.

x-RAY APPARATUS.

APPLlCATION FILED APR. I0, ISIS. l

g/ WMZMMMMMW@ Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

SINCLAIR TOU'SEY, OF WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NEW' YRK.

PATENT X-RAY APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application ined April 1o, 1919. serial' No. 289,004.

To all cli/tom it 77mg/ concern.' y

Be 1t 4known that l, SINCLAIR TousnY, a citizen of the United States,and resident of VVesthampton Beach, New York, have in vented certainnewand useful improvements vin X-Ray Apparatus, ot' which the followingis aspecieation.

My invention relates'to means for improving radiographs by reducing thequantity of secondary rays, reachinfr any given part ofv the plate, fromthe 4ass wall of the X-ray tube while permitting direct rays from thefocus point to reach every part of the plate.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a diagram yof an X-ray tube with a radiating cellulardiaphragm and plate associated therewith, as proposed by me. I

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a radiating cellular diaphragm combinedwith a section of a sphere substantially conforming to the sphericalportion of the tube.

Fig. 3 is a similar View showing compeneating means h which the samediaphragm can be used wlth different X-ray tubes of the same size, butwhich vary as to the location of their focus points. l

Fig. 3 is a view of another Aform of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a View of another form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a further modilication in whichthecellular diaphragm is supported from the X-ray tube stand.

F ig. 6 is a digranirnatic View of acellular diaphragm and its attachingdiaphragm.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 6.

In Fig. l a, single radiating cell ot trumpet shape is shown in section,as A, B, C, D, whose walls are straight and thin but opaque to theX-ray. This eel] is so placed that its walls form a truncated hollowcone whose apexv is at the focus point upon Kthe anti cathode.Consequently the shadow of this radiating cellular diaphragm upon thephotographie plate is the circumference of a oircle whose diameter isfrom E to F.

Inside this circle, if the diaphragm were absent, an elfect would beproduced partly by direct rays 'from the focus point, which a one aredesirable, and partly by secondary rays from the glass wall oil theillustrative purposes from thi` m, yf'. ,W 1th the diaphragm in tube,say for part marked place., the direct rays are in ull force and so arethe small amount of secondary rays which can reach the part E, F oi theplate through the small opening A, Bot say l/l the dialneter or say l/S)the surface ot secondary radiation, or in other words l/Sl of thesurface of the entire portion ot the glass'wall ofthe tube from which:secondary X-rays arise. y

y Alsosecondary radiations passing outside the diaphragm on one sidefrom the part ot the X-ray tube-between a: and a portion near A markedX2 reach the part of the circle E, F between E and af. The secondaryrays reaching the circle E, F :trom m A anywhere near ai arise from a.very small part olf the tube and even those near E are small in amountcompared with what they would be il the wall B, D were not present tocut ott secondary rays 'from the tube between B and y. v

A. similar' reduction in the amount of secn ondary rays is noted at y.

ai to 3/ is a region receiving rays only through the opening A, 13, e.direct rays in Jfull force and a small quantity of second ary rays.

The portion of the plate to the left of E receives direct rays in fullforce but second ary. rays only from the part ofthe X-ray tube A to Asimilar condition is noted at the other side of the illustration.

`Commonly a .larger flat diaphragni of opaque material at about the samedistance from the tube as A, B will give a sutlicieiltly large Held ofillumination at the plate and at the same time substantially reduce thesur face of the tube from which secondary rays may reach the part of theplate outside of More than one cell either concentric or discrete may beused.

In Figs. 2 and 3 l show improvements on. the above.

In one form, see Fig'. 2. l employ a section of a hollow spherel F, lllin part ol" ma teria] opaque to the not to conduct electricity or todamage the X-ray tube or .to be *itself damaged Yby contact 'with theX-ray tube. lle/ad glass is a suitable substance. ln an opening' in thismember F ll there is inserted a portion extending from A to B havingsimilar properties except that it is transparent to the X-ray. glass4such as X-ray tubes are or-` dinarily made trom is a .suitablesubstance. Extending preferably though not necessa- Patented Mar. 22,1.921". i

rily from the middle part of this transparent section A, B is a trum etshaped radiating cellular diaphragm (if), H as described above, made ofmaterial opaque to the X-ray and not injurious to the X-ray tube anditself not being injured by* contact with the tube or if separated fromit by a thin layer of glass.

From the above it will be understood that the spherical section from Fto A and from B to E is opaque to X-ray. From A to B itis trans arent toX-ray. From C to and D to lg it is opaque to X-ray.

The spherical section is of a curvature to correspond with the size ot'the X-ray tube with which it is to be used and the conical diaphragm isof such an angle as to its walls and is set in such a direction that ifthe focus is at the center of the X-ray tube the walls of the cone willcoincide with the lines of the direct rays as previously explained,whenthe spherical portion F, E is simply tied 'in contact with the glasswall of the X-ray tube. An X-ray tube of the proper size but with focusnot exactly at'the ceuter, can be adjusted for use with this diaphragmeither by changing the place of the focus, or by making one or moreprojections as' at' l, Fig. 3, upon the tube which will suflicientlalter the direction of the conical part G, IYI, when the diaphragm isplaced in contact with the tube to compensate for the variations in thelocation of the focus point. In this way one diaphragm can be used Withmany diHerent X-ray tubes of the same size.

By the structure of Fig. 2 I secure the advantages ofl a small Contactdiaphragm A to B, reducing the total secondary radiation to the minimumconsistent with a sufli cient area of illumination at the plate.

I secure the advantages of a'radiating cellular diaphragm without thevery great difficulty of extemporaneously placing a separate apparatusat a distance from the X-ray tube, so as to secure the circular lineshadow of the wall lof the cone which is essential to a satisfactorypicture.

My new construction makesvit necessary only to bind the diaphragm incontact with the X-ray tube without any extemporaneous adjustment.

'The improvement includes a contactidiaphragm supporting a transparentportion which in turn supports a radiating cellular diaphragm by simplyplacing this and the X-ray tube together.

In another form this diaphragm is permanently fastened to an X-ray tubeas would result from attaching the diaphragm of Fig. 3 to the tube.

Ini the form shown in Fig. 4 the X-ray tube itself has a transparentsection at A, i3 supporting near its middle a radiating cellulardiaphragm and either all the rest of the X-ray tube consists of leadclass or similar substance opaque to the ilray, or at least the rest ofthe active hemisphere consists of lead glass or similar opaque (toXrays) substance.

I secure the advantages of a small contact diaphragm, and of a smallradiating cellular diaphragm. I provide an X-ray tube with an externaldiaphragm and an external radiating cellular diaphragm forming integralparts of the X-ray tube.

Another form of' the invention consists simply of aradiating cellulardiaphragm of say lead glass attached permanently to the X-ray tube as inFig. 4. And the benefit to be derived from the diaphragm A, mayA forexample be derived from the use of a shield of opaque material in whichis an opening A, B, in the center of which the conical diaphragm islocated, said shield surrounding the X-ray tube as in Fig. o.

Another form consists ot' a spherical part J of glass ordinarily usedfor X-ray tubes supporting a radiating cellular diaphragm of opaquematerial say lead glass. The whole is to be bound to the X-ray tube asshown in Fig. 3 by cords or the like at 21 And here. as in the form justmentioned, the benefit to be derived from the diaphragm A, B may beobtained by having the X-ray tube surrounded by a shield K of materiallopa ue to the X-ray in which is an opening A3, 3, at the center of whichthe conical diaphragm is located.

In the several forms which are not permauently fastened to the X-raytube a suitable number ot members, such as projecting rings are providedfor the attachment of cords by means ot| which the apparatus may beconveniently bound in contact with the X-ray tube.

The structures shown in Figs. 2 to 4- inclusive and their modificationsmentioned relate to an apparatus designed either to be part of the tube,or to be attached temporarily or permanently directly to it.

The following description of Figs. C and 7 relates to an apparatus notto be tastened directly to the tube, but to be held in proper relationto the X-ray tube b v a suitable third-apparatus which may for examplebe part of the tube stand.

In this modification shown in Figs. 5. 6 and 7 lthere is a radiatingcellular dia.- phragm (l2 of a rigid opaque substance. hard silver forexample. as in Fig. l. whose smaller end is fastened to a flat sheet Bot' thin X-ray transparent material (aluminum for example), theI latteris stretched across the opening of a diaphragm A2 of rigid material,such as iron. which is readily attachable as by set screws` to the tubestand in such a position that the radiating cellular diaphragm (N2opaque to X-rays will function properly when any particular Xrav itubeis placed in the tube stand, indicated diagrammatioally at D2, in' aposition previously determined by careful trial and marked upon theX-ray tube as indicated at e, Fig. 5. The marking is important to enableone to quickly place the tube in proper position in the standV and thusin proper registration With the diaphragm.

Eil

In Fig. 5, E2 is a protective shield which is often used but notessentialH to my app ratus. The cone C2 can be attached to dia phragm B2by small pro'ections ot C2 riveted to B2. The member vzvvith diaphragmB2 and cellular diaphragm C2 can be at tached to the tube stand byscrews a.

The member in Fig. 7 having the portion B2 transparent to X-rays mayhave its rim portion A2 to function chiefly as a support for the conicaldiaphragm. And the opaque zone A2 surrounding the transparent por tion,which zone is desirable, but not essenn tial, may be obtained in a Wayother than by making this rim portion opaque such for instance as byemploying a part of the tube shield for this purpose as in Fig. 5.

"Ihe part of the transparent disk indicated at C3, Fig. 7 Within the'small end of the cone must be of the same material as that portionmarked B2 surrounding the small end of the tube, the portion C3 musthave the same transparency to the X-ray as the portion B2. The functionof the parts C3 and B2 is to permit the free passage of primary X-raysfrom the focus spot.' Secondary 4X-rays arising from the glass Walls ofthe X-ray tube and passing through the parts B2 and C3 are, as to someofthem, obstructed by the Walls of the cone, as partially indicated inFig, 1. y

What I claim is:

1. In combination with an X-ray tube, a conical diaphragm having itsWalls opaque to X-rays and convergent toward the focus point upon theanticatliode, the proximal end of the cone partly inclosing and, beingsurrounded by a zone of limited extent transparent to X-rays outside ofwhich there is a zone opaque to X-rays, substantially as described.

2. In combination with an Y-ray tube, a conical diaphragm having itswalls opaque to X-rays and convergent to the at the anticathode and adiaphragm carry,- ing said conical diaphragm and held in connection withthe tube, said last mentioned diaphragm having a portion transparent tothe X-rays at which the 'conical diaphragm is located, said Itransparentportion beine surrounded by a portion opaque to the rays, 'substantiallyas described.

3. An X-ray tube having a conical diaphragm attached theretovvhose Wallsare opaque and convergent toward the focus point upon the anticathode,the

Fig. 7 or at all events,

focus point Y conical da phragm having a zone about its small endtransparent to the X-ray and an opaque zone outside the transparentzone.

4L. An X-ray tube having a conical `diaphragm attached thereto whosewalls are opaque and convergent .toward the focus point upon theanticathode, the conicaldiaphragm having a zone about its small endtransparent to the X-ray and an opaque zone outside` the transparentzone, said transparent and opaque zones being formed by a shieldexteriorto the tube, substantially as described.

5. In combination with an X-ray tube, a conical diaphragm having itsWalls opaque to X-rays and convergent toward the focus point upon theanticathode, a substantially fiat -diaphragm having a portiontransparent to X-rays and a rlgid rim portion, with the conicaldiaphragm attached tothe transparent portion and having a part of thetransparent portion `surrounding it and means 'for holding the fiatdiaphragm with the conical ldiaphragm in proper relation to the tube,substantially as described.

6. In combination with an X-rayV tube,

la conical diaphragm having its Walls opaque to X-rays and convergenttoward the focus point upon the `anticathode, a substantially flatdiaphragm havinga portion transparent to Xmays and a rigid rim portion,with lthe conical diaphragm attached to the transparent portion, With apart thereot surrounding ,it and means for holding the flat diaphragmwith' the conical diaphragm in proper relation ,to the tube, said meanscomprising a stand to which the diaphragm is fixed, said stand receivingthe tubes removably vvhichrare marked individually to locate the tube inaccordance with the position of the focus point thereof, substantiallyas described.A

In combination with an X-ray tube, a conical diaphragm exterior to theX-ray tube and a member supporting the conical dia phragm at itsproximal end and transparent to X-rays at .said proximal end of the coneand throughout a zone surrounding the Said proximal end, substantiallyas describe 8. In combination with an X-ray tube, a conical diaphragmhaving its Wall opaque to X-rays and convergent vtoward the focus pointupon the anti-cathode, being located external to the lX-ray tube andbetween the same and the object to be depicted, and lying in the midstot' the X- rays to be utilized, adapted to produce only a linear shadowand to revent secondary rays from reaching the p oto a-phic platev Intestimony whereof, I a lX- my signature.

SINCLAIR TOUSEY.

said diaphragm I

